August 14, 2010
Drawings
This image represents a series of graphite drawings that I have been doing between paintings recently.
Blog
August 8, 2010
Rivers and Tides
Yesterday I watched a documentary about British environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy, called “Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working with Time.”
July 25, 2010
Silence
Today I walked to my studio only to realize that I had left my ipod at home. I usually listen to audiobooks or news podcasts while I paint. The silence, however, proved beneficial. By working in silence I was able to think about the paintings as I worked. I made clearer decisions and stayed focused. [...]
July 13, 2010
Sketchbook
This drawing was done today in my sketchbook, in crayon from photo reference. I am doing these in preparation for a new direction my work is taking. I think I am going back to oils….
July 7, 2010
Productivity
It has been a lovely five day weekend from my day job. Most of it was spent doing 4th of July festivities. However, yesterday and today were mainly devoted to painting. I realized, however, that my work does not lend itself to full days in the studio. My thin, watered layers of paint take sometimes [...]
June 8, 2010
Dutton Quote: Seriousness & Religion
“…absolute seriousness of purpose comes ultimately from an individual, not just a culture, and most great artists, musicians, and writers demonstrate a rare and often obsessional commitment to solving artistic problems in themselves.” (240)
May 30, 2010
“What Makes us (More) Human…”
Click here to read the article. I read an interesting blog by John Hammond entitled: What Makes us (More) Human: The Vast Middle Ground Between Art and Science. Hammond has been featured on Art 21′s blog a few times for similar discussions. He has both science and art backgrounds. I have read many things of [...]
May 17, 2010
Update
This is a new piece (Chromascape 26) just finished in the studio today. I have been experimenting with doing my acrylic landscapes on various surfaces. This piece is on unprimed canvas, which I think worked out quite nicely. I am also attempting to do a piece on raw wood panel, but that posed a few [...]
April 21, 2010
Boston!
I spent part of last week in Boston, visiting a good friend going to Grad School for painting at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. It was a return to art school for me. I got to sit in on critiques, attend a lecture, and tour studios. I got to meet, talk, and [...]
March 29, 2010
The Art Instinct
I am currently reading The Art Instinct by Denis Dutton. When I saw this book on the shelf, I knew I had to read it, as it applies to many of my current ideologies. However, I was also skeptical. I thought it likely that the book would be a collection of badly described theories. I [...]
March 21, 2010
The Chromascape Statement
My recent work provides me with an entirely new outlet for my obsessions. I feel that I often treat my art not as a grand statement, or a refined image, but rather as a series of experiments. I am seduced by the endless possibilities of what can form on a two dimensional surface. This is [...]
February 2, 2010
A Theory of Art
I am currently reading (or trying to read) “A Theory of Art” by Stephen David Ross. Ross is a philosopher, and has written about a number of topics, including aesthetics, morality, science, and culture. This book focuses exclusively on Ross’s theory of contrast. Ross argues that all other theories and artistic movements are incomplete. Contrast [...]
January 20, 2010
Chromascapes and Changes
I had been titling my recent works “freescapes” which I think was always a stand-in title, so today I gave it some thought. Sticking with the “scapes” thing was worrisome to me, coming out of my forestscape works, but these recent works are not a huge departure. I wanted to be honest to what they [...]
January 10, 2010
Macro vs. Micro
One issue that has been consistently problematic for me in my work has been the distinction between macro and micro in my more abstract pieces. The question is: are we looking at something from very far away, or up close? Is it a galaxy, landscape, or cells under a microscope? In organic abstraction, many of [...]
January 2, 2010
Tworkov
“A conceptual work- one which followed completely a predetermined course of design-as happens in the fields of design, belongs essentially to theory and critism and not to art as such…” -Jack Tworkov (excerpt from a 1968 journal as printed by Art in America book review Dec. 2009) Jack Tworkov (1900-1982) was one of the founders [...]
December 17, 2009
More New Work
I am continuing to create new work in this more freestyle, abstract format. I think that this series of work will have much more evolving to do. Maybe I am a control freak, but I sense that the current process leaves much room for additonal intention and specific manipulation. It is an exciting starting point [...]
December 1, 2009
A New Body of Work
I have started what I believe will become a new body of work for me. It is a return to the colorful abstract landscapes, but with new tools. I am focusing on watered down acrylics, in wet, thin layers. I am using this application technique to interpret the colors and shapes of landscapes, trees, foliage, [...]
November 24, 2009
Season’s End
The season of festivals is drawing to a close. It unfortunately ended in a whimper, with Madison being a bit of a disappointment. None the less, any exposure is better than no exposure. Now I expect to retreat to my studio cave for a little while. I have some fresh ideas to get underway and [...]
October 21, 2009
Beautiful Fall
I had forgotten how incredible fall could be. I did not spend as much time in my studio as I had planned, because I was distracted by what was probably the last nice day of autumn. I walked around Humboldt Park for a while.I was reminded of how much I cherish color, and how pure [...]
October 15, 2009
Getting Back to Work
This has been my first week really back in the studio after weeks off while I was getting married and going on my honeymoon. It was a blast, but it feels good to be resuming my work. I am starting slowly with some drawing. This drawing was done over the course of two days and [...]
No Dead Artists Press Release
Beki Borman featured in National No Dead Artist Exhibition.